The Chesterton Gymnastics program is known for their successful string of team success over the last 25 years. This year having only two seniors, they struggled without a large returning team, and a relatively new coaching staff that took over midway through last season. The Trojans placed 5th in the Duneland Athletic Conference meet, which was hosted at Crown Point High School. Chesterton then hosted sectionals, placing 5th in the team with a 106.425. 

Senior Caitlyn Cook had an extraordinary year, placing third all-around, seventh in bars, first in beam, eighth in floor, and fifth in vault in sectionals. Cook was a role model for those younger than her. 

     “I felt like the freshmen and stuff were kinda looking up to me and they kinda did what I was doing. If I had a bad day, it kinda seemed like the rest of the team was having a bad day. It pretty much was what the team was doing was based on what I was doing,” Cook stated.

    She definitely took her captain role seriously and adapted to the extra stress and responsibilities that came with it. 

Madelynn Chestovich placed 29th in beam, with a score of 7.650. Chestovich was also named ICGSA Academic All-State, highlighting her success in and out of the classroom.

Natalie Jones also had an outstanding year, placing fifth in beam to advance to regionals, while also earning 16th in all-around, 34th in bars, and eleventh in floor. 

Alyssa Callaway placed 28th in bars, scoring a 7.675. She also placed 21st on floor, with a 8.900.

Lainey Grothaus scored an 8.600 tying with three other athletes for 19th place.

Bayley Fowler placed 19th in bars, scoring a 8.250, and a 8.700 in vault placing her at 18th.

Cook and Jones were the only Trojans to qualify for the Regional meet. Cook qualified in All-Around and Jones in beam. Jones finished ninth in beam scoring a 9.25. Cook excelled throughout the day starting off with a 9.00 on beam placing 11th. In the floor routine, which was her best performance of the day, Cook posted a 9.425, finishing off sixth place. She ended her day with a vault score of 9.225 (14th), and finished the uneven bars with a tenth place finish, scoring a 8.95. Cook concluded the day with an All-Around score of 36.60, giving her a placement of seventh overall. Cook advanced to the IHSAA State Finals at Ball State University in Floor Exercise.

Cook represented Chesterton High School extremely well in her last career high school competition. She qualified on Floor Exercise and obtained a score of 9.025 to finish 28th at the State finals. 

     “I was hoping that the whole team would make it to state, but the other teams around us were just too good,” Cook continued. 

     Cook finished her high school career as she started it, with such poise and grace. Cook was named DAC All-Conference in late March. 

For those returning and coming to the mat in 2022-23, Cook left with the legacy of a hardworking, dedicated athlete who pushed herself regardless of the circumstances. “My advice would be to work hard all the time, and listen to the coaches, try not to cause any problems, and just focus on doing gymnastics,” Cook concluded.